Li Guo left Nanjing Mansion to go to the north, in addition to selling the glass and mirrors in the capital, he also wanted to go to the customs to have a look.

It is reported that Huang Taiji outside the customs now also attaches great importance to firearms. Li Guo knew that the Jurchens had forged red-coated cannons in the first two years, and now they heard that the development of their firearms was extraordinary. You must know that at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Eight Banners entered the customs with a strong bow and angry horse, not a firearm. Could it be that the information is wrong? This has to arouse Li Guo's attention.

Therefore, Li Guo marched north.

In fact, Nie Xin, Luo Hu and others are against this.

Since the departure from Guangxi, Li Guo's subordinates have dissuaded Li Guo, and even Nanjing does not want Li to come over, let alone the capital and Guanwai. Now Nie Xin also means the same.

"Master Hu, in the capital and outside the Guan, I'll just bring some people myself, don't you still believe me? You must know that your goal is too big, the court is jealous of you, and the Jurchens outside the gate hate us very much, if you are not careful, the danger is too great. Nie Xin's tone was sincere.

Li Guo shook his head, "Only by knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent can one not be defeated in a hundred battles." This time, I decided to take a good look at the Jurchen and the real strength of the imperial court, and see if we really have a chance to rebel as soon as possible! It's always hard to feel at ease if you don't go and see it yourself. ”

Everyone couldn't persuade them, so they had to follow Li Guo.

Liang Shiyin said to Li Guo, "It's better to bring Hao Qianjin with you, he is very familiar with the north, especially outside the Guan, and he knows most of the people who were sent to the Guanwai back then." ”

Li Guo nodded in agreement. Hao Qianjin was even more overjoyed.

Liu Rushi and Tarina are like little tails that can't be shaken off, saying that they will follow Li Guo instead of staying in Nanjing Mansion. Li Guo couldn't resist them, so he took them away.

Zheng Mi and Cao Zheng's fleet escorted Yang Mo's treasure and did not return, and Li Guo set off with three hundred guards despite everyone's persuasion. In Li Guo's words, why are you so public? Originally, he wanted to travel in a low-key manner, but if it weren't for Nie Xin's fate, Li Guo would have left with only ten or eight people.

Not much to say, the group is dusty. Rushed to the capital. Tao Shicheng was originally stationed in the capital, and Zhangjiakou, which controlled the northern commerce, had a lot of money. Hearing the news that Li Guo was coming, he was not worried that Tao Shicheng was young, and he also rushed to the capital from Zhangjiakou.

The house was purchased privately in Dongcheng, and the entire confines of Dongcheng were surrounded by Li Guo's residence. A considerable number of dwellings have also been bought and used as liaison stations. In order not to be suspected, there are people living in each house.

Therefore, Li Guo and his entourage of 300 people also dressed up as all kinds of people, etc., and entered the city one after another, quietly moving in, but they were not suspected.

The glass and mirror have already been taken over by Qian Duoduo, and Li Guo does not need to come forward, and the mirror and glass show up. It has received great welcome and attention. Dignitaries and dignitaries came to Tao Shicheng's shop one after another, taking pride in buying glass and mirrors.

Tao Shicheng is also sophisticated now, and he has made friends with people in the imperial court, such as Cao Huachun. It also has a foothold in the capital. Therefore, in a short period of time, Tao Shicheng sold all the glass and mirrors. This time it was sold for more than 200,000 taels, which is tens of thousands more than Nanjing, and it is normal to add a little money, and there are transportation costs.

The procurement of the inner court also bought a small amount. It was not given to Emperor Chongzhen, but to Chongzhen's favorite concubine Tian Guifei. The comprador means to use it for Tian Guifei first. In this way, if Chongzhen likes it, the entire palace will be equipped with glass and mirrors.

Therefore, the procurement office said to Tao Shicheng, Tao Shicheng didn't say a word, and directly sent the procurement of more than a dozen pieces of glass and a few small mirrors.

The procurement manager stretched out his thumb and praised, "Refreshing, if I do this, I will ensure that you will make a fortune." ”

Tao Shicheng shook his head, "This thing is just to honor you, I really don't want to get it to the palace to use, once it is used in the palace, how much is it!" You must know that this thing is not said to exist, the crystal glass of the Dragon Palace and the Divine Mirror of the Heavenly Court are sold for money? To tell you the truth, we are out of stock now. However, if my father-in-law is really loyal to the saints of today, he can also consider placing an order, and maybe selling it. ”

The eunuch who purchased it was also shrewd, and said with a smile, "Xiao Tao, don't bluff me, this thing is a good thing, but if you want to say what kind of Dragon Palace and Heavenly Court, it is impossible, let's say, how many taels of silver do you need for this thing?" Don't be afraid, I'll give you the money. ”

"Well, I'll ask you, it's not our own cargo after all. However, I just heard you say that the size and quantity of the glass in the palace will cost four or five hundred thousand taels of silver, to say the least. "Tao Shicheng still knows a little about the situation in the palace.

Procurement nodded and went.

On this day, Chongzhen came back from the court and went straight to Tian Guifei's residence, and Tian Guifei welcomed Chongzhen in.

"Your Majesty, do you notice any difference?" Tian Guifei asked with a smile.

Chongzhen also felt something different, but he didn't know what the difference was for a while.

Tian Guifei pointed to the window, "Your Majesty, see if the sky outside is bright." ”

Chongzhen looked at the window, but found that the window paper on the window was gone, and there seemed to be something on the window, but it looked like nothing.

"It is." Chongzhen asked suspiciously.

"This is the treasure of the Dragon Palace, called crystal glass, which brings in the light from the outside and makes the room bright, which is a good omen!" Tian Guifei explained.

"Ahh Chongzhen suddenly realized.

Tian Guifei didn't wait for Chongzhen to speak, and took out the small mirror again, "Your Majesty, come and see, this is the divine mirror of the Heavenly Palace, and the person who shines it is so clear." ”

Chongzhen took the mirror and looked at his face, and it was really clear, and he suddenly froze.

"Where did this come from?" Chongzhen asked.

"It was my father who saw that a merchant from the South China Sea came to sell, and he specially sold it to honor the emperor. This has transparent glass and a clear mirror, doesn't it symbolize that the future of my Ming Dynasty is open and bright? Tian Guifei is very good at speaking. The mirror and glass were sent to the palace of Emperor Tian, and the two of them discussed that they would be offered by Emperor Tian.

"It's hard to have a heart for your father." Chongzhen was happy in his heart, these days, Chongzhen, who has been plagued by internal and external troubles, is in a particularly comfortable mood.

"It's a pity that my father wants to buy more, but this thing is rare, and if you want to sell it, you have to sell it in the South China Sea, and the price is also expensive. Tian Guifei said.

Chongzhen frowned, not speaking, now that the military salary is beyond his means, how can he have any money?

At this time, the procurement office of the inner court came to pay tribute, saying that the emperor sent someone to send a one-foot-high red coral, which is said to be the glass seller who heard that the glass and mirror were dedicated to the emperor, and specially presented tribute.

Chongzhen thought about it, and then called the procurement eunuch in, "Have you ever heard about this glass and mirror?" ”

"I heard that many ministers in the court bought it. I heard that this mirror and glass are so magical that a few pieces can't see the effect, but if there are too many, it seems to be able to turn people's fortunes in a good place? "Procurement is nonsense.

Chongzhen took it seriously. (To be continued)